Celebrating National Minority Enterprise Development Week – October 14-20, 2018

Minority Business Development Agency sent this bulletin at 10/10/2018 10:00 AM EDT

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is honored to celebrate Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week in partnership with the National Minority Supplier Development Council at the 2018 NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange.

MBDA will present a series of Powered by MBDA workshops and seminars at the conference that will focus on Federal Government resources including trade/exports, infrastructure, and federal procurement opportunities. MBDA will also host the MBDA Pavilion where minority entrepreneurs and business owners can obtain one-on-one business counseling and coaching sessions.

The federal government spends more than $500 billion annually on purchasing goods and services. During these intimate roundtable exchanges, federal acquisition officials will provide an analysis of top spend categories by NAICS for their department and demystify federal supply schedules. Attendees will gain firsthand insight and learn about department-specific forecasted spend plans for the fiscal year 2019. They will also have the opportunity to present their capabilities. So, bring your elevator pitch, business card, and capabilities statement!

Special mention: Each roundtable exchange will be held in twenty (20) minute increments giving attendees the opportunity to meet with multiple Federal agencies. Follow-up discussions with presenters may be available at the MBDA Pavilion during the Business Opportunity Exchange on Tuesday.

Matchmaker Invitees: U.S. Department of Labor, Social Security Administration, U.S Agency for International Development, U.S Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Postal Service, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Treasury….and more! Sign up now!

Signature Session: Out of this World
Monday, October 15, 2018, 2:15 PM

The President recently issued the National Space Strategy to ensure U.S. leadership and success in space. In the next year, the first tourists are expected to orbit the moon in a private spacecraft; and the United States will send four people to live on Mars in 12 years. These things are happening now and the U.S. Department of Commerce is paving the way for this new industry to spur more commercial activity. This plenary address features experts who will show you that you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to get in on this $330 billion industry today.

From social media and websites to digital footprints and search engine optimization (SEO), the Federal Government is using the capabilities of technology to find vendors for new products and services. Is your company keeping pace and leveraging these new platforms? Hear from members of the private sector who work with the Federal Government to capitalize on the Digital Age to announce contracts and how your company can better position itself for new opportunities.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created Opportunity Zones which is a new community development program designed to connect private capital with low-income and rural communities across America. For the next ten years, private investors will be eligible for certain tax benefits in return for investing in these communities. With over 8,700 locations in every U.S. state, territory and Washington, D.C, come see where your next project and investment can take place. The panel will discuss the location strategy of the Opportunity Zones to include an interactive mapping system. Participants will be able to see prospective investment locations and learn about projects.